England's Evie Richards shook off the issues that have blighted her all year to clinch gold in the women's Cross Country.

Richards, who was the silver medallist four years ago on the Gold Coast behind team-mate Annie Last, had played down her medal hopes after battling back problems since the start of the year, and also contracted Covid-19 last month following a stomach bug and other illnesses.

But her determination to compete in Birmingham paid off as, roared on by a raucous home support at Cannock Chase Forest, she came home 47 seconds ahead of Australia's Zoe Cuthbert.

Bronze went to South Africa's Candice Lill.

Cycling Mountain Bike - Commonwealth Games: Day 6

Richards, the world champion, rode clear on the first of the seven laps to improve on the silver she took in Gold Coast four years ago.

There was one scare with two laps to go when she slid on a corner and had to remount but that was the only moment in the 95-minute race where a Richards win looked in doubt.

“I’ve had a terrible year,” the 25-year-old said. “From being world champion last year this year has gone to shambles. I had a bad back in February and this is the first race with no pain, no tears. Just to finish a race, it sounds silly, but it’s such a special moment.

“I’ve had everything from Covid to a stomach bug in Brazil so just to put a race together and to finish without a bad back, to be healthy, really means the world to me.

“I knew I wasn’t the strongest but I just had to try… Sometimes I play it down to make it easier mentally, to take a bit of pressure off, but obviously I always want to win.”

Just to finish a race, it sounds silly, but it’s such a special moment.
Evie Richards

Richards, who grew up a little over an hour the other side of Birmingham in Malvern, has had this day circled since the city was awarded these Games.

She has skipped two legs of the World Cup for the opportunity to ride in front of family and friends – her grandparents Jean and Cliff were able to watch her for the first time in six years – and took her rewards.

"To be here with my family watching means the world to me. It’s been so long since I raced in front of them, especially my nanny and grandad. It must be about six years."

Richards attacked from the start, building a lead of over 30 seconds after just two laps. But Cuthbert was starting to eat into going into the final two laps, and the sight of her coming back forced Richards into a mistake.

“I was really shocked,” she said. “I’d felt calm and confident but coming into the arena I turned behind me and saw a rider. I had a little slip because I was quite surprised. I had very clear time splits from my team and it scared me.

“Poor grandad. I think he nearly had a heart attack! I don’t normally see much emotion from him. I hope I didn’t scare the family too much.

“I thought, ‘Oh God, I’m going to have to do something special.’ Luckily I still had reserves, I put in a surge and managed to drop them but I scared myself.”